Suburban Pittsburgh Man Indicted for Obstructing Law Enforcement during Civil Disorder

PITTSBURGH, Pa. – A residents of Shaler Township, PA, has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, on a charge of Obstruction of Law Enforcement During Civil Disorder, United States Attorney Scott W. Brady announced today.

The one-count indictment named Brian Jordan Bartels, 20, Allison Park, PA 15101.

According to the indictment and criminal complaint filed with the court, on May 30, 2020, Bartels interfered with and obstructed the Pittsburgh Police during the course of the civil disorder that occurred in connection with the protests which took place in downtown Pittsburgh on that day. In particular, Bartels is charged with initiating the destruction of a marked police vehicle that was parked on Centre Avenue above the PPG Arena. The complaint alleges that Bartels threw rocks at the vehicle, broke a window, stomped through the windshield and spray painted the vehicle. Shortly thereafter, members of the crowd set fire to the vehicle, completely destroying it.

The law provides for a maximum total sentence of five years in prison, a fine of $250,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed would be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

Assistant United States Attorney Shaun E. Sweeney is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation conducted the investigation leading to the indictment in this case.

An indictment is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.